2/23/25 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW: Camille A. Brown and Dancers

By Walter Rutledge

Camille A. Brown and Dancers presented an all too short New York season Wednesday February 5th thru Sunday February 9th at the Joyce Theater. The sold-out five-day seven performance run presented I AM the third installment in her Black Joy trilogy. As the curtain rose, and as the evening proceeded it became clear Brown has saved the best for last. Continue reading

2/18/24 O&A NYC DANCE REVIEW: Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet – Remembering

By Walter Rutledge

Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet (JGCO) presented their New York City season February 13 thru 15 at Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Bam Fisher Fishman Space. The seventy minute audience friendly one act was more than a celebration of Black History Month; it is also a fitting tribute to the dance theatre genre. The season offered a blend of spoken word, live drumming, recorded music and voiceovers, theater, ritual, art, photography, video projections and of course the primary medium dance. Continue reading

2/14/25 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: I Wanna Be Ready – Amos Machanic Jr.

Amos Machanic, Jr. joined the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1996. During his 15 years with the company, Amos had the pleasure of traveling and performing across the globe and in 2010, he performed at the White House tribute to Judith Jamison. Continue reading

2/11/25 O&A NYC DANCE: Kevin Iega Jeff Creates to Communicate With Homage

By Walter Rutledge 

Keeping in the spirit of his credo, “create to communicate”, Kevin Iega Jeff has choreographed Homage for the Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet. Homage will be presented during Remembering, the company’s 30th anniversary season celebration February 13, 14, 15 at BAM Fisher Fishman Space in downtown Brooklyn. The intergenerational ensemble work highlights the artistry of three accomplished female performers Shirley Black Brown Coward, Bahiyah Sayyed and Thera Ward. Continue reading

210/25 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Harold Nicholas – Mister BeeBe (1944)

Harold Lloyd Nicholas (March 17, 1921 – July 3, 2000) was a tap dancer specializing in tap. Nicholas was the younger half of the tap-dancing pair the Nicholas Brothers, known as two of the world’s greatest dancers.  Continue reading

2/7/25 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Jamel Gaines Frontline Mentor

By Walter Rutledge

The applause has subsided, curtain fallen and the house lights are at half during a brief pause between dances. Instinctively we peruse the program to find the bio of that one standout performer. In many cases that dancer’s initial training and nurturing did not happen in one of metropolis’ elite dance academies. Instead, that first fire was probably kindled in a storefront, church basement, or school gymnasium. Continue reading

2/1/24 O&A NYC ITS SATURDAY ANYTHING GOES: Mercy by Alex Miedzinski for Senior Lyrical 2023

 

Choreographer Alex Miedzinski presents Mercy, featuring the senior students (age 17-18 years) of the Performance Training Program. The work was performed at their 2023 End of Year Concert at Brent Street one of Australia’s premiere dance academies. Continue reading

1/31/25 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet Educates Through Dance

By Walter Rutledge

Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet will commemorate the company’s 30th anniversary with a three-day New York City season Friday, February 13 through Sunday, February 15 at BAM Fisher Fishman Space. The season will offer Remembering, a program that reflects Gaines continued commitment to educate and enlighten the next generation through the dance theatre genre. Continue reading

1/29/25 O&A NYC WILDIN OUT WEDNESDAY: Hope By Paris Cavanagh For Elite Company 2023

Hope, choreography by Paris Cavanagh presents dancers from Elite Company from the performance training program. The company is comprised of students aged 14-18 years. This performance took place during the 2023 end of year annual concert. Continue reading

1/26/25 O&A NYC THE SUNDAY MORNING FUNNIES: Cardi Tries Ballet

Cardi B has launched a new series called Cardi Tries …., on Facebook Messenger and Instagram. In each episode, Cardi attempts to learn a new skill. In the premiere episode, world renowned choreographer Debbie Allen tries to teach Cardi ballet. At one point, Allen asks Cardi if she’s ever done ballet before. “Well, I used to be a stripper,” Cardi replies.  Continue reading